April 19, 2018
Amid the rigorous standardized testing season, students often find themselves less than enthusiastic about the process. While their teachers strive to ease the tension with small allowances like gum or leisure reading once the exam is completed, one educator in Pennsylvania has drawn attention for taking a more unconventional approach—one that led to disciplinary action.
Eighth-grade social studies teacher, Mark Darnell, at Crestview Middle School in Lancaster, PA, made headlines recently when he decided to prepare whole grain pancakes for his students during the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). This act of kindness quickly turned contentious when the vice principal entered the room and deemed the cooking a “distraction” for students focused on their exams.
Student Mia Torres shared her thoughts with a local news channel, stating, “The only distraction was when the principal walked in and looked at him. That’s when everyone turned around. He was just trying to keep us engaged.”
Darnell, perplexed by the backlash, expressed to Lancaster News, “I genuinely don’t understand what I did wrong. There was no disruption whatsoever. My students were focused and working hard.” Following the incident, he was suspended without pay. At the subsequent school board meeting, discussions about his future were anticipated, although officials clarified that termination was never on the agenda. Nevertheless, students and parents rallied in support of Darnell.
Parent Clara Martinez voiced her frustration, saying, “Over pancakes? He’s just trying to be a fantastic teacher and a mentor to these kids. They all look up to him.” Student Alex Rivera echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s unfair. All this fuss over pancakes feels ridiculous.”
School board member Jenna Fields pointed out that all proctors receive specific training on testing protocol. “If a teacher had requested to cook during testing, we would have advised against it as it could compromise their ability to monitor the assessment,” she explained. She also noted that students receive complimentary breakfast and lunch at school.
While Nicole Reigelman from the Pennsylvania Department of Education admitted there’s no explicit rule against serving food during testing, she emphasized that such actions could interfere with the essential duty of monitoring assessments, a critical responsibility of test proctors. Fortunately for Darnell and his supporters, Lancaster News reports that he will return to his classroom today, much to the relief of his students. “He’s an incredible teacher who has supported me since I started school. When he was away, it was hard for me,” stated student Lila Jensen.
As a concerned parent, Crystle Martinez remarked, “We all play a role in raising our children, and he is a vital part of that support system.”
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In summary, the case of the pancake-cooking teacher highlights the fine line educators walk between fostering a supportive environment for their students and adhering to strict testing regulations. While Mark Darnell’s intentions were noble, it serves as a reminder of the policies that govern school testing procedures.
Keyphrase: Teacher pancakes testing incident
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